Draft-gear.



HERMAN C. PREBE, OF BLUE ISLAND, LLNOIS.

DRAFT-enna.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented 1' an.. S, 191%.

Application led July 9, 1917. Serial No. 179,551.

To all `whom it 'may concern:

Be it known that I, HERMAN C. Finnen, citi'zen of the United States, residing at Blue Island, in the county of Cook and State of I-llino`ishave invented a. certain new and useful Improvement in Draft Gears, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description. Y

My invention relates to draft gears and particularly to that class of draft gears employing opposed rockers that operate upon spring mechanism in i-etarding relative movement of longitudinally movable inembers of the draft gear. My invention has for its general object the provision of improved construction and assembly of the component parts of the draft gear and also certain improvements in the operating portions of the gear.

In accordance with my invention the spring mechanism or other motion resisting means is mounted upon or carried by the coupler yoke and supporting seats for the rockers are also carried by the coupler yoke. Rollers intervene between these seats and the rockers upon which rollers the rockers work as they move toward and from each other.

l will explain my invention more fully by reference to the accompanying drawings showing the preferred embodiment thereof and in which Figure 1 is a bottom view taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 3; Fig. 2 is a sectional view on line 2#2 of Fig. l; Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. -t is a perspective view illustrating a pair of rockers that enter into the construction; Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the yoke structure that I prefer to employ, certain parts of the structure assembled therewith being indicated by dotted lines; and Fig. 6 is a view on line 6 6 of Fig. 2.

Like parts are indicated by similar chai'- acters of reference throughout the different figures.

The coupler 1 includes a shank 2 which is connected with a yoke structure in a manner later to be set forth, the sides of the yoke structure shown being in the form of straps 3 integrally connected with the inner end piece 31 of the yoke. Openings et and 5 are provided in the yoke structure for the reception of keys 6 and 7, the openings permitting the keys to move inwardly from outer positions of the keys and outwardly from inner positions of the keys. The keys also project through openings 8 and 9 in the check plates 10 and 11 which are secured to the center sills 12 and 13, the openings 5 registering with the openings 9 and corresponding openings in the center sills when the gear is not under stress, the openings 4 then also registering with the openings S and similar openings in the center sills. A follower or member G1 has a transverse opening 62 in which the key 6 lits whereby this key and the follower have accompanying movements that are longitudinal of the gear. The inner key 82 is received within an open slot in the rear end piece 31 that constitutes this portion of the Iyoke a fork. This key 32 passes through slots in the center' sills and cheek plates and is preferably incapable of material movenient longitudinally of the gear. This fork structure is claimed in my co-pending application Serial No. 125,766, filed Uctober 16, 1916.

Cotter pins 1d may be employed to prevent the withdrawal of the keys from the slots in the center sills that receive them.

"il ie rounded transverse edge G3 of the follower 61 and the opposed rounded transverse edge 33 of the yoke side or member 251 are received within semi-cylindrical pockets 15 and 1G that are formed in the stems of the rcckcrs 17 and 18, there being outwardly diverging arms 19 and `2O, 21 and 22 between which the elements G1 and 31 are disposed as illustrated. The rockers are adapted to have direct engagement with each other and the opposed faces thereof are curved or cam shaped so that each rocker will co-act with the other and serve a resistance therefor to force the rockers to swing in a vertical plane upon coupler movement. The motion resistance. mechanism shown includes upright or vertical coiled springs 2i resting upon a seat 25. The spring mechanism also includes a pocketed abutment plate near the tops of the center sills and against which abutment plate the springs operate to press the spring seat 25 upon the rockers. Each rocker has nose 2"? that is curved on its bottoni face to have rocking engagement with the other rocker. These noses coperate to interlock the rockers.

The seat plate Q6 that is pocketed upon its under side to receive the upper ends of the springs 241 is connected with the yoke structure to move therewith and is preferably formed in the saine integral casting therewith as indicated most clearly in Fig. 5. rIhe lower seat plate is provided with ay transverse rib E28 upon .its lower side (made hollow to accommodate the noses 2T), the outer transverse sides of this rib forming with the bottom face of the seat plate 25 angular recesses that receive the angular lugs 29. These lugs 29 serve toA press upwardly upon the spring plate 25 to compress the springs Q-l and coperate with the rib 28 to locate the plate 25 with respect to the rockers. The lugs 29 upon each rocker are symmetrically arranged and separated so as to receive the rib 251 upon the vbottom of t ie plate 25 in the space between them whereby the assembly of this plate with the rockers is further assured. T he yoke structure desirably carries two transverse seats 30 and 3l which are preferably formed in a single element as indicated clearly in Fig. 5, this seat structure 30, 3l being desirably an integral part of the castingl that includes the yoke and the seatplate 26. Rollers 3Q and 33 rest upon the seats 30, 3l. VLower portions of the rockers move upon these rollers and the rollers move upwardly upon the inclined seats when the rochers turn upwardly upon the approach of either of the elements 61, 31 toward the other. By this construction the relative movements of the rockers is well guided and the seats 30, 3i moreover serve to maintain the rockers in assembly and obstruct the fall thereof in the case of breakage.

As l have preferably designed my gear the Springs serve to cushion the blow of each rocker upon the other when the rockers are initially brought into action upon each other at their upper ends whereby breakage and flattening cf the upper ends of the rockers are guarded against. rlhe rib '28 coperates with the lugs 29 for this purpose, the rib initially maintaining the rochers a slight distance apart when the gear is not under strain. The rib is rounded at its lower transverse margin so that after the initial impact has been taken up by the Springs the rockers may approach and engage one another. Thus the spring mechanism serves to take the initial blows resulting from the relative movement of either member 6l, 31 with respect to the other longitudinally of the gear.

lhile I have herein shown and particularly described the preferred en'ibodiment of my invention l do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction shown as changes may readily be made without departing from the spirit of my invention but having thus described my invention l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent the following l. A draft gear including a coupler; inner and outer members actuated thereby and movable with respect to each other longitudinally of the gear; means for resisting the approach of either of these members toward the other; two rockers operating in conjunction with the aforesaid means, each of the aforesaid members having a rocher in engagement therewith and each rocker having a curved face for engagement with the curved face of the other rocker in the operation of the gear; and seats for these rockers disposed below the same.

2. A draft gear including acoupler; inner and outer members actuated thereby and movable with respect to each other longitudinally of the gear; means for resisting the approach of either ofthese members toward the other; two rockers operating in conjunction with the aforesaid means, each of the aforesaid members having a rocker in engagement therewith and each rocker having a curved face for engagement with the curved face of the other rocker in the oper tion of the gear; and rollers for these rockers disposed below the same.

3. A draft gear including a coupler; inner and outer members actuated thereby and movable with respect to each other longitudinally of the gear; means for resisting the approach of either of these members toward the other; two rockers operating in conjunction with the aforesaid means, each of the aforesaid members having a rocker in engagement therewith and each rockerV having a curved face `for engagement with the curved face of the other rocker in the'operation of the gear; seats for these rockers disposed below the same; and rollers interposed between the rockers and said seats.

4. A draft gear including a coupler; inner and outer members actuated thereby and movable with respect to each other longitudinally of the gear; means for resisting the approach of either of these members toward the other; two rockers operating in con- `iunction with the aforesaid means, each of the aforesaid members having a rocker in engagement therewith and each rocker having a curved face for engagement with the curved face of the other rocker in the oper ation of the gear; and inclined seats for these rockers disposed below the same.

5. A draftI gear including a coupler; inner and outer members actuated thereby and movable with respect toeach other longitudinally of the gear; means for resisting the approach of either of these members toward the other; two rockers operating in coni unction with the aforesaid means, each of the aforesaid members having a'roclter in engagement therewith and each rocher having' a curved face for engagement with the curved face of the other rocker in the operation of the gear; inclined seats for these rockers disposed below the same; and roll ers interposed between the rockers and said seats.

6. A draft gear including acoupler hav- .ing a coupler yoke; inner and outer members actuated by the coupler and movable with respect to each other longitudinally of the gear; means for resisting the approach of either of these members toward the other; two rockers operating in conjunction with the aforesaid means; each of the aforesaid members having a rocker in engagement therewith and each rocker having a curved face for engagement with the curved face of the other rocker in the operation of the gear; and seats carried by the yoke for these rockers disposed below the same.

7. A draft gear including a coupler having a coupler yoke; inner and outer members actuated by the coupler and movable with respect to each other longitudinally of the gear; means for resisting the approach of either of these members toward the other; two rockers operating in conjunction with the aforesaid means; each of the aforesaid members having a rocker in engagement therewith and each rocker having a curved face for engagement with the curved face of the other rccker in the operation of the gear; and rollers for these rockers disposed below the same.

S. A draft gear including a coupler having a coupler yoke; inner and outer members actuated by the coupler and movable with respect to each other longitudinally of the gear; means for resisting the approach of either of these members toward the other; two rockers operating in conjunction with the aforesaid means, each of the aforesaid members having a rocker in engagement therewith and each rocker having a curved face for engagement with the curved face of the other rtcker in the operation of the gear; seats carried by the yoke for these rockers disposed below the same; and rollers interposed between the rockers and said seats.

9. A draft gear including a coupler having a coupler yoke; inner and outer members actuated by the coupler and movable with respect to each other longitudinally of the gear; means for resisting the approach of either of these members toward the other; two rockers operating in conjunction with the aforesaid means, each if the aforesaid members having a rocker in engagement therewith and each rocker having a curved face for engagement with the curved face of the other rocker1 in the operation of the gear; and inclined seats carried by the yoke for these rockers disposed below the same.

10. A draft gear including a coupler having a coupler yoke; inner and outer members actuated by the coupler and movable with respect to each other longitudinally of the gear; means for resisting the approach of either of these members toward the other; two rockers operating in conjunction with the aforesaid means, each of the aforesaid members having a rocker in engagement therewith and each rocker having a curved face for engagement with the curved face of the other rocker in the operation of the gear; inclined seats carried by the yoke for these rockers disposed below the same; and rollers interposed between the rockers and said seats.

11. A draft gear including a coupler hav ing a coupler yoke; inner and outer members actuated by the coupler and movable with respect to each other longitudinally of the gear; a coiled 'spring structure for resisting the approach of either of these members toward the other; two rockers operating in conjunction with the coiled spring struc ture, each of the aforesaid members having a rocker in engagement therewith and each rocker having a curved face for engagement with the curved face of the other rocker in the operation of the gear; and an abutment plate engaged by the coiled spring structure and connected with the coupler yoke to move therewith, the spring structure being inter posed between this abutment plate and the rockers.

12. A draft gear including a coupler having a coupler yoke; inner and outer members actuated by the coupler and movable with respect to each other longitudinally of the gear; a coiled spring structure for resisting the approach of either of these nie1nbers toward the other; two rockers operating in conjunction with the coiled spring structure, each of the aforesaid members having a rocker in engagement therewith and each rocker having a curved face for engagement with the curved face of the other rocker in the operation of the gear; an abutment plate engaged by the coiled spring structure and connected with the coupler yoke to move therewith; the spring structure being interposed between this abutment plate and the rockers; and a second abutment plate interposed between the coiled spring structure and the rockers.

13. A draft gear including a coupler; inner and outer members actuated thereby and movable with respect to each other longitudinally of the gear; means for resisting the approach of either of these members toward the other; two rockers operating in conjunction with the aforesaid means, each of the aforesaid members having a rocker in engagement therewith and each rocker having a curved face for engagement with the curved face of the other rocker in the operation of the gear; and a seat for and disposed beneath a rocker.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 23rd day of June A. D.; 1917.

HERMAN C. PRIEBE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C, 

